What you need to know about going to the Polo Gold Cup Final or the Florida Derby

Polo Match and Florida Derby

March 23, 2012|By Rod Stafford Hagwood, Staff Writer

You know how polo and horse racing has that snooty reputation – sport of kings, and all that?

Well a lot of that has do to with movies such as "My Fair Lady" and "Pretty Woman" where the horsey set seem as focused on looking down their noses at some common interloper as the actual equestrian event.

We mere mortals have a chance to see for ourselves close-up with the USPA Piaget Gold Cup Final Sunday, March 25 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach and the Florida Derby, March 31 at Gulfstream Park - both major social and family events near the end of "The Season."

"Most people's reference these days is from Julia Roberts in 'Pretty Woman' and the divot stomping and things like that," said John Wash, president of the International Polo Club Palm Beach referring to the tradition of spectators wandering the polo field stomping down the torn up turf. "There is almost a pageantry to the whole thing I suppose. But it's a family event. There are kids playing bocce ball and throwing Frisbees too."

With that said, here are some things you need to know:

WHAT DO I WEAR?

POLO "We get that question a lot," said Aaron Menitoff, ceo of catering at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. "People call the club and ask. If the ladies have a fun hat this is when you would wear it. It's okay to be over the top. There's a misconception that it is an elitist sport, but most of the people involved are very down to earth. Horse people are less demanding; everyone is very friendly."

POLO “Yes, it’s like a fashion show out there,” Wash admits. “You get a lot of that with the polo and equestrian crowd, but there’s also a blue jean crowd here. Some are in their Sunday best, especially at the final which is more formal. But you also have people having tailgate parties and they are in T-shirts and shorts. You'll see a bit of everything.”

DERBY "The women dress up and the men are in sharp jackets," said Ralph Pagano, the executive vice president of hospitality and executive chef at Gulfstream Park (but better known for his turns on "Iron Chef America" and "Hell's Kitchen" TV shows). "Hey look, for two minutes you own the horses you bet on...and I always say a bad day at the track is better that a good day at work. We have a hat contest - we call it 'Brims an Riches' - so a woman can win $500 right there. And the gentlemen that come into Ten Palms [the Clubhouse restaurant] are pretty sharp guys. They put on a sport jacket and a pocket square. You got to remember, these guys are usually characters."

WHAT EXACTLY AM I ATTENDING?

POLO [The USPA Piaget Gold Cup] is part of Polo’s triple crown,” said Wash. “There’s the Royal Salute C.V. Whitney Cup and the Nespresso U.S. Open Championship, which culminates April 22. These are all played here at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Think of it as we are the Yankee Stadium for polo. These are what we call the three 26-goal trophies, which is polo at its highest level. The best polo players in the world come here to Florida this time of year."

POLO "Polo players are rated from minus 2 up to plus 10," said Wash. "The plus 10 are the best polo players in the world and there are probably less that two dozen of them. Polo follows weather all over the world. It is played in about 60 countries. Here in the States it is probably best known in places like Santa Barbara and The Hamptons. Our season [in Palm Beach County] is January through April with the best players coming here from England, France, Argentina.”

DERBY "You know how the Kentucky Derby is famous for being the most exciting two minutes in sports," asked Pagano. "Six of the last eight winners of the Florida Derby were favorites for the Kentucky Derby. So we say that the Florida Derby is the most important two minutes in sports. We'll have anywhere from, 15,000 to 20,000 people here. This is the 51st running of the [Florida] Derby."

WHAT'S GOING ON AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

POLO "We have The Pavilion, which is a tented structure but with chandeliers," said Menitoff. "The public is welcome there; it's a non-threatening environment. There's a deejay. And there is a champagne toast, light hors d'oeuvres and an open bar for the first hour [$65]. We have Sunday brunches with champagne and hors d'oeuvres and veranda seats [$130]. Then there is the Veuve Clicquot section with lavish food displays and a table. There are hanging buffets and flame throwers, very unique presentations...watch out for the flame throwers [$350]. We have a reception package where you have the champagne toast, the open bar for the first hour, but you are inside - there's no veranda [$50]. The tailgate sections are rented out for the season. There's a waiting list."